Evan Murray. Ben Hamm. Tyrell Cameron. Unless one is a resident of Warren Hills, New Jersey; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; or Winnsboro, Louisiana; these names most likely have no obvious relevance. All three died playing high school football. All three left behind parents, brothers, and sisters. All three left behind a community now in mourning. All three most likely never imagined the game they loved would take their lives.

In 2015 alone, five high school student athletes have died as a direct result of playing football. Another six have already died of more indirect causes linked to playing football, such as heat stroke, water intoxication and heart issues. Since 2005, the deaths of more than ninety two high school student athletes have been attributed to their participation in high school football, according to CNN’s website. Those numbers seem huge, high enough to make even die hard football enthusiasts take a step back and really consider the effects of playing football throughout high school. Those numbers could threaten high school football itself. According to Up2Us sports, twenty seven percent of high schools will be cutting their football teams by the year 2020. Youth tackle football is also seeing a decline in participation, with many parents concerned about the risk of head trauma related to concussions, and the fear of their children developing the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. A recent study by the Department of Veteran Affairs and Boston University found that over 96 percent of deceased NFL players suffered from CTE before their deaths. These numbers are also huge. However, some feel that the pros of youth and high school football vastly outnumber the cons.

Over 1.1 million teens participate in high school football each year, according to the CNS news website. Since 2005, ninety two have lost their lives. Therefore, a high school football player has a 0.000084 percent chance of dying as a result of playing football. According to healthfitnessrevolution.com and the Livestrong Foundation, the benefits of football vastly outweigh the risks. Football can act as interval training, due to its quick stop and start nature, leading the cardiovascular system to quickly work at different paces.This helps to burn fat, strengthen core muscles and stretch and strengthen ligaments and other tendons. The risk of a youth or high school football player developing CTE is also very low. The high energy impacts and collisions NFL players are constantly subjected to that cause CTE simply do not occur at the high school level and below. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta says that only one in ten high school football players will suffer a single concussion. KnowConcusion.org recommends a player should stop participation after only after three or more. With only one in ten players suffering one concussion, the odds of a high school player suffering three or more are very slim.

Regardless of the seemingly minimal risks, football also helps build teamwork and social skills that cannot be acquired in any other environment. The concentration and focus required to master the delicate intricacies of the spread offense or the cover 2 secondary package can not be taught in a classroom, or developed without months of constant practice and study. The teamwork required to be successful with a read option offense or even a simple screen pass is unparalleled in the world of sports. A single great basketball player or hockey player can carry a team to greatness. In football, all eleven players depend wholly on one another for success. One man fails to perform his job correctly, and the whole play crumbles dismally. The quarterback gets brutally sacked, or the receiver gets destroyed on a short crossing route. Every player is crucially important.

Yes, there are risks associated with playing football. In the most tragic cases, the sport can even lead to severe injuries or fatalities. I believe, however, the numerous physical and social benefits that a player can gain while playing vastly outnumber the risks that a player could experience.